Question about teachers and protests

[Veg_Athei_Socialist]

I was talking with one of my parents about wisconsin and she said that certain teachers shouldn't be allowed to strike because of the psychological effects on young children and also because without someone being able to watch a parents children they couldnt be able to hold a job.

How would you respond?

[Widerstand]

I'd tell the parents to take the children with them and join the strikes. Or to stay home from work and take care of the children. Both are better than going to work and pressuring teachers into not striking.

Also, what psychological effects?

[Tim Finnegan]

Also, what psychological effects?
Presumably, the realisation that you don't always have to do what the authorities tell you to. ;)


I was talking with one of my parents about wisconsin and she said that certain teachers shouldn't be allowed to strike because of the psychological effects on young children and also because without someone being able to watch a parents children they couldnt be able to hold a job.

How would you respond?
The latter argument, at least, essentially leads you to the conclusion that it is only ever legitimate to strike if your labour is of no necessity to anyone, which effectively disenfranchises a huge part of the working class. I mean, it's fine if you're, I don't know, a masseur or a piano teacher, but everyone from teachers to lorry drivers to fire & rescue personnel are left out in the cold. It's a classic reactionary tactic- undermine working class solidarity by accusing workers of selfishness- and it's a shame to see that your parents have internalised it.

Also, is it even inaccurate? In the UK, at least, the state still has a duty of care for the children, because it's own prescriptions hold that they be in school between the hours 9 and 3:30. All it means is that they herd the kids into the gym and stick on a dvd, which is hardly the end of the world.

[Quail]

I'm sure that if the teachers who were striking gave enough notice, the parents of the children could make arrangements. After all, I assume those same parents would make childcare arrangements if their children were ill. It might be a bit of a pain, but isn't that the point of a strike? If you don't cause any disruption then you're not really putting any pressure on your boss.

I'm not sure what you mean by psychological effects on young children. What psychological effects are caused by teachers striking? :confused:

[Mr.Awesome]

I was talking with one of my parents about wisconsin and she said that certain teachers shouldn't be allowed to strike because of the psychological effects on young children and also because without someone being able to watch a parents children they couldnt be able to hold a job.

How would you respond?

I think that's nonsense. Teachers, like all workers, should have the right to strike. Of course it'd be nice if they gave early notice to help the parents make arrangements but ultimately a few days of school won't do children any harm. At any rate, as has already been said, you can just stick them in front of a dvd for a few hours :)

And what psychological effects? I can hardly see a child needing counselling because his teacher went on strike for a couple of days :confused:

[gestalt]

Nonsense on stilts.

I am more concerned about the long-term educational deficiencies these "reforms" all but ensure as public schooling gives way to charter, for-profit indoctrination than any hypothetical, short-term psychological impact on a child due to instructors exercising their rights and making sure they have a voice in policy.

Teachers should have the right to strike but, as mentioned in another thread on this topic, my colleagues and I would face termination, suspension of licensure and effective blacklisting in this state.

One of the purposes of an educator strike demonstrates how vital this profession is to society. Also, schools are not daycare services, though some parents and guardians regard them as such.

[Hoipolloi Cassidy]

Maybe you should ask your parents about the "psychological effects" of seeing a person you have learned to respect and trust treated by his/her employer as a piece of disposable garbage. I wonder how that reinforces the teacher's authority in your eyes...